4 ms·

The connectors could be keyed such that backwards-compatible functionality also has backwards-compatible connectors.

Dylan16807 6y ago
Can you explain how this would be different from the current situation? When both cables and devices are usually backwards-compatible, what do you even key? The main thing I can think of to key out is charging-only cables, but those aren't even supposed to exist as far as I know. Cables are all supposed to have at least the USB 2.0 wires.
- fragmede 6y ago
  USB 3.0 B-Type and USB 3.0 Micro B will allow USB 1.1/2.0 cables to connect to the respective ports, but at lower speeds. Last two on https://www.cablestogo.com/learning/connector-guides/usb https://www.cablestogo.com/learning/connector-guides/usb
  - Dylan16807 6y ago
    So you want keying that prevents you from using a too-good cable, like with micro? Cables either have to match the port speed, or be worse?
    - fragmede 6y ago
      It's less about being prevented from using a cable thats "too good", and more about knowing what a given cable supports without having to plug it in. If a cable and both devices had this hypothetical USB-C+Thunderbolt keyed connector, then it would be clear by visual inspection that all 3 components necessary support that level of connection. Instead we have the confusing situation that we're in where the only real answer is to try it. Even at $70, the cable is likely the cheapest component of the three and I would rather know that I've got something that works rather than take two trips to the store. Yes, on the off chance that you're teleported somewhere and end up with a laptop, 4k monitor, and the slow cable, you won't be able to get 4k because of the cable, but imo that trade-off would have been worth it compared to the current confusion.
dragonwriter 6y ago
But USB-C is universally-comaptible with capability detection and least-common-denominator functionality, so you are back to one connector with no actual keying if you do that.

Can you explain how this would be different from the current situation? When both cables and devices are usually backwards-compatible, what do you even key? The main thing I can think of to key out is charging-only cables, but those aren't even supposed to exist as far as I know. Cables are all supposed to have at least the USB 2.0 wires.

fragmede 6y ago
USB 3.0 B-Type and USB 3.0 Micro B will allow USB 1.1/2.0 cables to connect to the respective ports, but at lower speeds. Last two on https://www.cablestogo.com/learning/connector-guides/usb https://www.cablestogo.com/learning/connector-guides/usb
- Dylan16807 6y ago
  So you want keying that prevents you from using a too-good cable, like with micro? Cables either have to match the port speed, or be worse?
  - fragmede 6y ago
    It's less about being prevented from using a cable thats "too good", and more about knowing what a given cable supports without having to plug it in. If a cable and both devices had this hypothetical USB-C+Thunderbolt keyed connector, then it would be clear by visual inspection that all 3 components necessary support that level of connection. Instead we have the confusing situation that we're in where the only real answer is to try it. Even at $70, the cable is likely the cheapest component of the three and I would rather know that I've got something that works rather than take two trips to the store. Yes, on the off chance that you're teleported somewhere and end up with a laptop, 4k monitor, and the slow cable, you won't be able to get 4k because of the cable, but imo that trade-off would have been worth it compared to the current confusion.

dragonwriter 6y ago

But USB-C is universally-comaptible with capability detection and least-common-denominator functionality, so you are back to one connector with no actual keying if you do that.